Iris Family Center for Early Childhood Education - Preschool South Orange, New Jersey

Mazal Tov To Carol...

2010-05-07T14:38:00.000-04:00

Mazal Tov to...
Carol Paster who completed a half marathon on May 2nd!

"The miracle is not that I finished, but that I had the courage to start"

NEW PRE-K CLASS IN THE FALL!!!

2010-03-24T16:58:00.001-04:00

NEW PRE-K CLASS IN THE FALL!!!

Dear Parents,

We are thrilled to announce that we are going to be opening A NEW PRE-K CLASS IN THE FALL. This would be for all of the 4's - 5's that miss the cut off for Kindergarten, or who are not quite ready for a full day (half day and full day options will be available).

There will be more information in the next couple of weeks as we finalize everything, and will certainly keep you as up-to-date as possible. We are really excited about being able to offer this to you, as we know many of you were struggling with what to do with your children next year. If you know anyone who might be interested in this program, you can forward this onto them, there is a "Forward email" button at the bottom of this email. Classs size is limited so please let us know if you are interested in this program.

For those of you who celebrate Passover, we hope you enjoy your seders, and for those of other faiths, we hope you enjoy your family celebrations as well! We will see you April 12th, hopefully rested and ready to get back to school! Remember, enrichments begin that first week we are back.

Warmly,
Carol & Andrea

Passover 2010

2010-03-24T16:56:00.001-04:00

Passover 2010

Passover, commemorating the Exodus of the Israelite people from Egypt, begins this year at sundown on Monday, March 29th. The children in the preschool are preparing for the holiday in their own special, age appropriate ways, and you have been invited to celebrate with your child at his/her seder. Perhaps you are already hearing your child speak or sing songs related to Passover.
Please click here for some more information about Passover and a quick lesson on the holiday.

Family Activity Ideas

2009-12-16T11:49:00.000-05:00

Spending time with the family is very important in today's hectic life. One can undertake many different activities to spend time with the family. Let us have a look at some of the family activity ideas in the following paragraphs.

Significance of Family Activities
The different family activities give a chance to enjoy the weekend and act as stress busters. In today's fast paced life it is difficult to keep in touch with the happenings that take place around us. Even family members don't communicate with each other on a regular basis. It is thus, important to take some time out for the family at least on off days. Our family members support us emotionally, which is very important to survive in today's world.

From the Co-Chairs...

2009-12-07T09:02:00.003-05:00

Dear Parents,

Winter Enrichment Registration is here! Please click HERE to view the 3's & 4's Winter Enrichment Registration Form, and click HERE to view the Toddler's and 2's Registration Form.

We are re-offering a lot of the same classes from last session, and added a few as well! Take a look and sign up, class size is limited!

We have a lot of exciting events coming up in the next few weeks! Please make sure you click through the newsletter to view all of the flyers and dates!

As we approach the final stages of construction of the Atrium, we are so excited to have our new play area in time for the cold weather! While we are waiting for the delivery of new ride on toys, we are looking for donations for the 2's. If you or anyone you know is looking to get rid of out-grown, age appropriate, ride-on toys, please let us know.

We look forward to seeing some of you at our Shabbat Dinner on Friday night, and at ourBreakfast and Bowling with Dad on Sunday.

Warmly,

Carol & Andrea

Winter Enrichment Classes 2010 DESCRIPTION PAGE

2009-12-07T09:02:00.000-05:00

"Mini Monet with Susan Gracey & Ellen Goldsmith" Come draw, paint and sculpt as we learn about art through the ages and explore cultures around the world. This class is for those who enjoy being creative using a variety of art media including plaster, pastels and watercolors. Learn about art of early man, ancient Egypt, the Italian Renaissance and lots more. Each 8 week session will consist of different projects so you can register for the entire year without repeating activities.

"Wee Sing Chorus with Miss Melissa" "Wee" love to sing! This class will include choral techniques and some performance preparation. Children will have opportunities to play percussion instruments such as rhythm sticks, drums, tambourines, maracas, and tonal hand-bells. They will also be introduced to the musical alphabet and will begin to learn note values. Broadway, here we come...
"Storytime with Ellen Hirschorn" - Storytime willgive your children an opportunity to let their imagination soar. They will act out stories and construct props to go along with them in an exciting and creative atmosphere.
"EtiKids with Ellen Goldsmith" - Good manners and edible treats are on the menu. This class combines simple cooking techniques, such as preparing "friendship fruit salad" and "itsy bitsy spiders". Good manners are taught through activities that include; setting the table, pouring water without spilling, and serving food while learning such phrases as "Pass the Peas Please." These experiences will be presented through story and song.
"Wiggles and Giggles with Miss Melissa" - Remember your favorite playground and party games? This class will include these and many more. Parachute games, hula-hoops, streamers, and limbo dancing-just to name a few- all guaranteed to bring a smile! Games will emphasize fair play and activities will promote both fine and gross motor skills. A healthy and fun way for our kids to stay active!
"Thrills & Skills with Susan Gracey" - Back by popular demand! Come and unleash your mad scientist and math wizard. We will explore math concepts such as one-to-one sets and addition/subtraction. On alternative weeks we will explore science concepts such as cause and effect, our natural world and hypotheses and predictions. This is a fun way to learn basic science and math concepts.
"Princess on Parade by Stories in Motion" - Put on your crown and tiara and enter a magical world of make believe and dance in this imaginative and delightful class exploring creative ballet and famous princess stories!Children will explore different princess stories and create their own dances. Fall princesses will include: Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Little Mermaid and the Paper Bag Princess.
"Preschool Soccer with Nathan Davies" is all about having fun playing soccer. It is an excellent program to introduce your child to the wonderful sport. The program allows children to learn about soccer through fun and exciting games such as traffic lights, bumper cars, stuck in the mud, and sleeping giants.
"Social Skills with a licensed clinician" This class was developed in response to parents who have children who are struggling with social skills. Has your child's teacher mentioned that they don't know how to enter a playgroup appropriately? (ex. Are they knocking over children's blocks in order to get noticed, instead of asking to play?; Having trouble keeping their hands to themselves? Allowing others to enter their play space? Rolling around on the floor during a structured activity like circle time?) This would be the perfect class to help your child practice with peers on improving their social skills. Class size is limited to 6 children, and is only running for 6 weeks.
"Yoga with Youngsters with Miss Melissa" Join Melissa as she help your child helps them develop better body awareness, self-control, flexibility and coordination through Yoga in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
"Afternoon 2's Program" This program fosters social skills necessary for peer interaction. Curiosity and sense of self are encouraged while activities assist in advancing language development and creative expression.
"Family & Toddler Dance" Children experience the joy of movement, dance making and storytelling in a creative, and non-competitive learning environment. Stories come to life through a wide range of dance activities, interactive storytelling, puppets and more! Dance props, music and rhythm instruments are integrated into each class. An open and supportive environment for different ages and developmental stages. Parents or caregivers actively participate in the class. Experience the joy of dance-play!!
"Baby Dance Jam by Stories in Motion" Come enjoy a delightful and creative class with your littlest one! Class includes developmental activities based on current brain research about how babies learn and grow. Explore baby drumming, rhythmic instruments, dance props, story time, ball play and lots of fun partner and group dances!
"Toddler Time" Join us for an hour of play and discovery for caregivers and their toddlers led by a facilitator. Create crafts related to weekly themes, sing songs, learn new finger plays and explore our class of age appropriate toys.
"Musically Yours" This half hour class will teach The Colors of Music(loud, soft, fast, slow, high, low, short, long) - through lots of fun songs, chants, finger-plays, movement, and stories.
"Dynamic Fit Kids" Fun is the formula for this fast paced class. Each week the students will play with new toys and learn new skills and games to keep them enthusiastic. The lesson begins with a warm-up, then the students participate in games and activities to improve coordination, balance, and overall fitness. Each class concludes with a relaxing cool down and stretch.

PRESCHOOL BOOK FAIR

2009-12-07T09:01:00.002-05:00

Monday, December 7th, 2009
9:00am - 10:00am
Barnes & Noble Livingston
Livingston Mall
112 Eisenhower Parkway
Livingston, NJ07039
Bookfair FAQ

Q: How much from my purchases will help our preschool?

A: Between 10% and 20% cash back, depending on how much the supporters spend as a whole.

Q: What if I can't make it?
A: You may call the store at 973-758-1310, state you are with the bookfair and order items to be sent home. Shipping is free for orders sent home that are over $25!!!

Q: Can my Aunt Tillie in Omaha shop at her Barnes and Noble and have it count on that day?
A: Yes! Just make sure Aunt Tillie has the voucher. You can email it or snail mail it to her!

Q: What purchases count?
A: All merchandise and cafe items! The purchase of gift cards or the purchase of a BN Membership does not count, but you can use Gift Cards and Memberships to spend or save!

PARENT ENRICHMENT WITH RABBI MILLER

2009-12-07T09:00:00.003-05:00

When: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 7:30-8:30pm

Where: Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel - Mansion
Topic: Myths around the holidays: How to talk to our children - Rabbi Ellie Miller

There are so many beliefs passed generation to generation...some that create beautiful memories and traditions and some that may cause confusion. What do we say to our children when they ask is the tooth fairy real or my best friend says Santa Claus comes down the chimney but I know he can't fit, or how does the wine go down in Elijah's cup? Each family must decide what is right for them.

Please come join Rabbi Miller and enjoy an open dialogue exploring what's right for you and your children.

This program is sponsored by Iris "Family Matters" programming in coordination with Parent Enrichment of the Iris Family Center.

Please RSVP by Friday, December 4 to Erica Barton: erica.barton@gmail.com, or Lori Sauer: lbsauer@comcast.net

Schedule Reminder

2009-11-19T09:23:00.000-05:00

Dear Parents,

Just a reminder there are a lot of important upcoming events. We would like to highlight that we are CLOSED on MONDAY, DECEMBER 7th for Parent/Teacher Conferences, please call or email to schedule your appointment. The 2's have no school on DECEMBER 8th for Parent/Teacher Conferences. To clarify, most importantly we will be holding MONDAY SOCCER and PRINCESS ON PARADE ENRICHMENTS on Monday, December 7th from 1:00-1:45pm as a make up for our Colombus Day Construction closing.

Please remember to check the upcoming events on the left for details and changes to our programs.

Warmly,

Carol & Andrea

Hello, from the Preschool Board!

2009-11-19T09:21:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving Turkey and Food Drive
Saturday, November 21st, 9:00-2:00
TSTI front circular driveway
Drop off: Frozen (never thawed) turkey's, non-perishable groceries.
(You may drop off frozen turkey's in the kitchen freezer before Saturday morning if it is more convenient.)
To benefit: Community Food Bank of New Jersey

The Iris Family Center is collecting non-perishable groceries in conjunction with this Temple-wide effort. We want to take this opportunity to teach a lesson about Tzedakah (charity).
Please take a family trip to the grocery store or your own cupboards and have your child choose a favorite food to give to someone in need. Send in the can or box of food in your child's backpack during the week of November 16th-21st.

(YOU CAN BRING YOUR CHILD(REN) TO SHABBAT STORY TIME TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GIVING TO OTHERS - SEE FYLER IN OUR QUICK LINKS)

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We hope this note finds you well as we (unbelievably) head into the holiday season! With the holidays coming, there is so much to think about...of course we need to do some shopping and so Shop Sharey will be held in the ballroom this Thursday night at 7pm. Come eat, drink, shop, sell your gold, and bid on fabulous raffle items! In addition, we wanted to take the opportunity to mention the BOOK FAIR we will be holding all day at the Barnes and Noble in the Livingston Mall on Monday, December 7th. There isn't any school that day due to Parent Conferences, so please join us anytime between 9am and 10pm to do your holiday shopping! Just mention TSTI when you are paying for your books (and cafe items!) and our preschool will make a percentage of the profits. The teachers will also be providing a "wish list" of book titles that you may want to purchase for their classrooms...it's a great way to make a small donation to your child's classroom and the preschool will receive a percentage of that purchase as well.

Holidays are not just about shopping (of course!) so come and join us at our Parent Enrichment on Wednesday, December 9th, at 7:30pm with Rabbi Miller. She will talk to us about myths that surround the holidays and suggestions as to how to discuss these with our children. It will be a great evening to learn (and eat!) together as a community.

Hope to see you all soon!
Adria and Carrie

2009-11-11T16:35:00.003-05:00

MINI MONET with Susan & Ellen

As a group, we have been exploring the question; what is art? We have looked at art during the first half of classes in many ways. Keeping in mind that the process of creating art is always more important to your child than the end product, we and the children jumped into learning about basic art techniques through the eyes and hands of early man, including the Native American. We combined ancient traditions like using natural dyes from nature to paint with, followed with the more modern approach of reading Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh and dipping paper (!) mice in liquid watercolors, to discover the rainbow of colors around us.
The more we worked and looked, the more we began to see that art is all around us and can be anything we create. A favorite project of the group sprang from a discussion of the book Cave Boy. Cave Boy tried to make something never seen before out of a rock. Our class decided to make a classroom chair into something never seen before. We excitedly covered it with tape and torn pieces of paper creating "stink bug the chair". The kids ask about stink bug every class and are filled with pride that stink bug is on display in Carol's office.
Do you know what is the best part about making beads with young children? Not only do they love using the clay-like materials, they also absolutely love sitting with each other schmoozing about their art. Here is one brief glimpse of the chit chat we overheard: "Isn't your necklace a little long?" Or "I love the colors you used, I want to do that too!" And best of all, "I'm going to give this to my sister!"
As our final project for this unit we made dreamcatchers, which stop the bad dreams in the weavings and let the good dreams through. Dreams are frightening to Native Americans as well as children. The group practiced their fine motor skills sewing their projects as they discussed dreams. Who knew that some of your children declared they have no dreams at all, while others only have good dreams!

In the remaining weeks to come, we will explore Egypt, the Renaissance, Impressionists and Modern Art; an ambitious undertaking, but definitely fun-filled.

-Susan & Ellen

2009-11-11T16:35:00.001-05:00

2009-11-11T16:34:00.003-05:00

Hello, from the Preschool Board!

Shop Sharey is almost here! Please join us on November 19th, 7-10 pm for a fun night of shopping, raffles and our silent auction. This is a great opportunity to get started on your holiday shopping while relaxing with friends. Come enjoy dessert and wine. Sell you gold for cash and use this found money for shopping! Make sure to check out our silent auction items and raffles. 100% of the auction and raffle proceeds will be directly donated to the preschool!

Local merchants and business owners have been incredibly generous and we have over $11,000 in donated goods and services that we will be raffling/auctioning off. We have over 40 raffles to win including free dinners, classes, merchandise and gift certificates from local businesses.

Here is a sample some of the 20 Silent Auction Items:
-$2000 off each enrolled child at Camp Horizons (each child in that family would get $2000 off!) www.camphorizons.com

-Portrait Photography Package from Saving Grace Photography -valued at $760 www.savinggracephotography.com

-Home Enhancement Package (includes gift certificates for Wilbur's Painting, Stacey Cohen Interior Design, and Shed Home) -valued at $770 www.staceycoheninteriordesign.com

-Healthy Food for Young Children Cooking Class for 5 Adults-valued at $325 www.consciousplate.com

-Complete Birthday Party Package-valued at $425 (includes pizza, cupcakes, 2 TSTI teachers, craft activity, and 50% of a magician)

We hope you can join us for the exciting event!

2009-11-11T16:34:00.001-05:00

Midnight Run

Help our teens bring clothing and dignity to the homeless in NYC!!

Items still needed:

*New Mens & Womens Underwear - Size Large and XL

*New Warm Winter Socks for Adults

There is a bin outside of Carol's office for collection.

The teens will be going into the city on November 14, 2009 so please donate by November 13, 2009. Thank you so much for your support!

2009-11-11T16:33:00.001-05:00

Zerach The Scribe Visits the Preschool

The children who attended school this Wednesday had the opportunity to meet Zerach Greenfield the Scribe, who is involved with writing the Torah for Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel's new chapel. He explained how a Torah is made from fur to parchment, how quills are made from turkey feather to pens, and how the ink is made. Zerach showed the children the pieces of parchment that has already started working on for our Torah. Each child then told Zerach their names and he wrote the first letter of each of their names in Hebrew. The children also had the opportunity to try to write with quills on their own, they realized how difficult it is to be a scribe. Pictures will be linked in the next newsletter.

Warmly,

Linda Adelsohn, Judaic Program Coordinator

2009-11-11T16:32:00.002-05:00

Dear Parents,

We know that H1N1 is something that is on everyone's minds these days. As a school we encourage you to take every precaution from teaching your child to sneeze in their elbow, to frequent hand washing, and keeping them home when they are sick.

While we don't send home for every cough and sneeze, we are certainly are keeping a close eye on your children for illness. We would really appreciate you taking the same precaution in keeping your child home if they are not well. We cannot prevent everything, but if your child has a green runny nose (which indicates virus/infection), they are most likely contagious and should not be in school.

Below you will find an article about the swine flu and if you click the link there are suggestions on how to prevent the spread of germs. Please know that if and when we get a confirmed case of H1N1 we will send a notice home to the parents. As of right now, we have a confirmed seasonal flu case, and many children with colds, coughs, and flu like symptoms.

Warmly,

Carol & Andrea

Swine Flu Update:

On October 24, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation declaring swine flu a national emergency. To help early childhood programs react to this epidemic, the American Academy of Pediatrics has updated (as of October 21) its guidelines for early childhood programs. These guidelines offer detailed advice on the following recommendations.

*Get vaccinated against the flu;
*Stay home when sick;
*Conduct daily health checks;
*Separate ill children and staff;
*Encourage hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette;
*Perform routine environmental cleaning;
*Encourage early treatment;
*Consider selective early childhood program closures.

For more information on preventing H1N1 please click HERE

2009-10-22T00:41:00.001-04:00

Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!

2009-10-22T00:40:00.001-04:00

Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!

2009-06-13T20:27:00.002-04:00

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2009-06-13T20:24:00.002-04:00

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Moving On 2009 "Shabbat Is Here"

2009-06-13T19:48:00.004-04:00

A Day In The Life

2009-05-24T13:25:00.002-04:00

An Ode To Carol

2009-05-24T10:33:00.002-04:00